MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – The #1 Saint Leo University Men's tennis team remained perfect in the Sunshine State Conference Sunday, as the Lions pulled out a hard-fought 4-3 win over #4 Barry at Buccaneer Tennis Center.
The victory snaps the Bucs' five-match hold over the Lions, as the Green & Gold earned its fifth overall win against the Red & Black and its first overall win in Miami.
Doubles
The doubles session would ultimately play a factor in the deciding outcome, as Saint Leo won the first two matches before Barry avoided the sweep. Fifth-year
Nicolas Bacella and Junior
Luis Iriarte bested the Alessio Demichelis and Tim Buttner duo 6-2 before the 49th nationally-ranked pair of Junior
Ivan Marrero and Graduate Tao Bernal Castillo won 6-2 over Alessandro Giuliato and Alejandro Palacios 6-3.
Singles
After #70 Giuliati upset #28 Sophomore
Vincent Thiel to tie the match 1-1, Saint Leo retook the lead when #4 Marrero defeated #31Alejandro Gallego 6-3, 6-0. Bacella's 6-3, 6-3 win over David Rieme put the Green & Gold on the brink of a win.
The Bucs won the next singles match to stay alive, trailing by one point, before Iriarte clinched the overall match win in straight sets (6-3, 7
7-6
4) against Arnau Rodriguez.
Saint Leo is back at home Wednesday for a midweek conference match against Eckerd that will also serve as the team's Senior Day. First serve is set for 3 p.m.
For the latest news, updates, and information on Saint Leo Men's tennis, visit SaintLeoLions.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Lions news by following Saint Leo Athletics on
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